CYPs-mediated drug-drug interactions on psoralidin, isobavachalcone, neobavaisoflavone and daidzein in rats liver microsomes

The incubation system of CYP2E1 and CYP3A4 enzymes in rat liver microsomes was established to investigate the effects of psoralidin, isobavachalcone, neobavaisoflavone and daidzein from Fructus Psoraleae in vitro. The relevant metabolites were measured by the method of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), after probe substrates of 4-nitrophenol, testosterone and the drugs at different concentrations were added to the incubation systems. In addition, real-time RT-PCR was performed to determine the effect of psoralidin, neobavaisoflavone and daidzein on the mRNA expression of CYP3A4 in rat liver. The results suggested that psoralidin, isobavachalcone and neobavaisoflavone were Medium-intensity inhibitors of CYP2E1 with Ki values of 2.58, 1.28 and 19.07 μM, respectively, which could inhibit the increase of CYP2E1 and reduce diseases caused by lipid peroxidation. Isobavachalcone (Ki = 37.52 μM) showed a weak competitive inhibition on CYP3A4. Psoralidin and neobavaisoflavone showed obvious induction effects on CYP3A4 in the expression level of mRNA, which could accelerate the effects of drug metabolism and lead to the risk of inducing DDIs and serious adverse reactions. The results could be used for guideline of Fructus Psoraleae in clinic, which aimed to calculate the drug toxicity by studying the drug-drug interactions caused by the induction and inhibition of CYP450. •HPLC method to determination of metabolites of CYP2E1 and CYP3A4 activity in rats.•Effect of four compounds from Fructus Psoraleae on CYP2E1 and CYP3A4 was studied.•This study provided the basis for the toxicology of Fructus Psoraleae.